The Windows SDK for Windows 10 provides the latest headers, libraries, metadata, and tools for building Windows applications. Use this SDK to build Universal Windows Platform (UWP) and Win32 applications for Windows 10 and previous Windows releases. This article will serve as an informative guide and give you a clear understanding of how to perform a silent installation of the Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) from the command line using the EXE installer.
How to Install the Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) Silently
Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) Silent Install (EXE)
- Navigate to: https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/downloads/sdk-archive/
- Select the Install SDK link for the version of your choice
- Download & Copy the winsdksetup.exe to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command to extract the installation files:
- winsdksetup.exe /layout C:\Downloads\Win10SDK /quiet
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads\Win10SDK folder
- Enter the following command:
- winsdksetup.exe /features + /quiet /norestart
- Press Enter
After a few moments you will find Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) entries in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) |
| Vendor: | Microsoft Corporation |
| Architecture: | x86_x64 |
| Installer Type: | EXE |
| Silent Install Switch: | winsdksetup.exe /features + /quiet /norestart |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | winsdksetup.exe /uninstall /quiet /norestart |
| Repair Command: | winsdksetup.exe /repair /quiet /norestart |
| Download Link: | https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/downloads/sdk-archive/ |
| PowerShell Script: | https://silentinstallhq.com/windows-10-software-development-kit-sdk-install-and-uninstall-powershell/ |
The information above provides a quick overview of the software title, vendor, silent install, and silent uninstall switches. The download links provided take you directly to the vendors website. Continue reading if you are interested in additional details and configurations.
Additional Configurations
Create a Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) Installation Log File
The Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) installer offers the option to generate a log file during installation to assist with troubleshooting should any problems arise. You can use the following command to create a verbose log file with details about the installation.
Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) Silent Install (EXE) with Logging
winsdksetup.exe /features + /quiet /norestart /log "%WINDIR%\Temp\Win10SDK-Install.log" |
Change the Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) Default Installation Directory
You can also change the default installation directory by using the following command line parameters. In this example, I’m installing the Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) to “C:\Win10SDK”
winsdksetup.exe /installpath "C:\Win10SDK" /features + /quiet /norestart |
Disable the Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP)
winsdksetup.exe /features + /quiet /norestart /ceip off |
Install Individual Features of the Windows 10 Software Development Kit
| OptionId.WindowsPerformanceToolkit |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.WindowsPerformanceToolkit /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.WindowsDesktopDebuggers |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.WindowsDesktopDebuggers /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.AvrfExternal |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.AvrfExternal /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.NetFxSoftwareDevelopmentKit |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.NetFxSoftwareDevelopmentKit /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.WindowsSoftwareLogoToolkit |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.WindowsSoftwareLogoToolkit /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.IpOverUsb |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.IpOverUsb /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.MSIInstallTools |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.MSIInstallTools /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.SigningTools |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.SigningTools /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.UWPManaged |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.UWPManaged /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.UWPCPP |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.UWPCPP /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.UWPLocalized |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.UWPLocalized /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.DesktopCPPx86 |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.DesktopCPPx86 /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.DesktopCPPx64 |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.DesktopCPPx64 /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.DesktopCPParm |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.DesktopCPParm /quiet /norestart |
| OptionId.DesktopCPParm64 |
winsdksetup.exe /features OptionId.DesktopCPParm64 /quiet /norestart |
How to Uninstall the Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) Silently
Check out the Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) Install and Uninstall (PowerShell) post for a scripted solution.
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Enter the following commands:
Windows 10 Software Development Kit (SDK) Silent Uninstall (EXE)
winsdksetup.exe /uninstall /quiet /norestart |
Windows SDK AddOn Silent Uninstall (MSI)
MsiExec.exe /x {34462024-520E-4586-BF36-A19D1A0CFEDE} /qn |
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 SDK Silent Uninstall (MSI)
MsiExec.exe /x {F6751E84-6578-491F-91AA-37E4B4A638AC} /qn |
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 Targeting Pack Silent Uninstall (MSI)
MsiExec.exe /x {02CA5142-4DA7-4295-B9D7-A57CC49EDBEF} /qn |
Always make sure to test everything in a development environment prior to implementing anything into production. The information in this article is provided “As Is” without warranty of any kind.